Panel enclosure system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a panel enclosure system for enclosing partially unenclosed structures. The system includes a panel member assembly preferably comprising at least two panel members and a securing member that removably secures the panel member assembly over the unenclosed portion of a structure. The panel members of the panel member assembly may be individually removed to vary the degree of exposure to outdoor weather and environmental conditions. Preferably, the panel members comprising the panel member assembly vary in degree of transparency such that users may vary the level of visual exposure to the surrounding outdoor environment by adding or removing panel members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/302,611, entitled “Panel Enclosure System,” filed Mar. 2, 2016, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter of the present disclosure refers generally to a panel enclosure system for enclosing unenclosed or partially unenclosed areas or structures.

BACKGROUND

Individuals frequently work or engage in recreational activities in structures that leave them partially exposed to the outdoors. Such areas or structures may include patios, porches, carports, garages, or any other similar structures not fully enclosed from the outdoors. Because individuals within these structures are partially exposed to the outdoors they are also exposed to the weather and environmental conditions of the outdoors. Accordingly, adverse weather conditions can disrupt or even prevent an individual from being able to work or enjoy recreational activities within such structures. However, if the weather is not adverse but the surrounding environment is disruptive, individuals in such structures may not wish to completely insulate themselves from the outdoors. Rather, they may wish to filter out environmental disruptions, such as pests, allergens, or other debris, but still have some exposure to the outdoor weather. Moreover, because outdoor weather and environmental conditions fluctuate from day to day, individuals in partially unenclosed structures often need to vary their exposure to the outdoors in order to work or enjoy recreational activities in such areas or structures.

Additionally, when individuals work or engage in recreational activities in structures that are partially exposed to the outdoors, they are, in turn, exposed to the view of others in the surrounding environment. Thus, an individual generally lacks privacy while present in such structures. Accordingly, if an individual desires privacy, the individual must incorporate a barrier into the structure, which shields the individual from the view of others. Because the desire for privacy may vary from day to day, installing a single or permanent barrier for this purpose is not ideal, as doing so eliminates an individual's ability to vary his or her visual exposure to the surrounding environment.

Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a system for partially unenclosed structures that enables individuals to vary their exposure to outdoor weather and environmental conditions. Furthermore, a need exists in the art for a system that achieves this end while also permitting individuals to vary their degree of visual exposure to the surrounding environment.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed toward a panel enclosure system for enclosing partially unenclosed structures. Generally, the panel enclosure system comprises a panel member assembly and a securing member that removably secures the panel member assembly to an a partially unenclosed structure. When installed, the panel member assembly creates an upright barrier between the inside of the partially unclosed structure and the outdoors.

The panel member assembly preferably comprises at least two panel members. However, the system is designed such that individual panel members may be added or removed to enable users to customize the barrier established between the inside of the structure and the outdoors. Accordingly, in some instances, users may remove panel members until only a single panel member establishes the aforementioned barrier. In one preferred embodiment, panel members may be added or removed by securing or unsecuring a panel member to the securing member, respectively. In another preferred embodiment, panel members may be added or removed by securing a panel member to or removing a panel member from another panel member within the panel member assembly, respectively.

To enable users to vary the degree of visual exposure between the interior of the structure and the outdoors, the panel members of the panel member assembly are of different transparencies. In one preferred embodiment, the panel member assembly comprises a first panel member that is opaque, a second panel member that is transparent, and a third panel member that is semi-transparent. In another preferred embodiment, the panel members of the panel member assembly are designed such that users may vary the degree to which the system guards against exposure to the weather and environmental conditions of the outdoors. For instance, in a preferred embodiment, one panel member of panel member assembly may be waterproof while another panel member of the panel member assembly may have a plurality of openings therein to permit air to pass therethrough.

To facilitate versatility and installation within a variety of partially unenclosed structures, the design of the securing member and number thereof used may vary depending on the nature of structure and desired application. In a preferred embodiment, the securing member is a trough configured to secure to a structure and receive one or more support members extending from at least one panel member within the panel member assembly therein. By sliding the one or more support members within the securing member, the panel member assembly can quickly transition from an enclosed to unenclosed position or vice versa.

The foregoing summary has outlined some features of the system of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the pertinent art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features that form the subject of the claims will be described hereinafter. Those skilled in the pertinent art should appreciate that they can readily utilize these features for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the device and methods disclosed herein. Those skilled in the pertinent art should also realize that such equivalent designs or modifications do not depart from the scope of the system of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an enclosure system embodying certain features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure installed on a stand-alone carport.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a panel member assembly embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a securing member embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of a securing member embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a front view front view of a panel member assembly embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure installed on the unenclosed portion of a standard garage.

FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of an enclosure system embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure being installed onto two upright structures.

FIG. 6 shows a front elevational view of an enclosure system embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure being installed onto an upright structure.

FIG. 7 shows a front elevational view of an enclosure system embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure being installed onto two upright structures.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of an enclosure system embodying features consistent with the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a panel enclosure system embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a panel enclosure system embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). The term “removably secured” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean the joining of two components in a manner such that the two components are secured together, but may be detached from one another without requiring the use of specialized tools.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-10 illustrate preferred embodiments of a panel enclosure system, or various components thereof, for enclosing partially unenclosed structures. The system 100 is designed to establish an upright barrier when installed that may be customized to fit a user's needs by adding or removing panel members, as described herein. The system 100 has a panel member assembly 110 that acts as the upright barrier between the interior of a structure 130 and the outdoors. A securing member 120 is used to removably secure the panel assembly 110 to the structure 130.

The panel member assembly 110 comprises at least two panel members, a first panel member 111 and a second panel member 112. In a preferred embodiment, the panel member assembly 110 further comprises a third panel member 113, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, 4-7, and 9. The transparency of each panel member within the panel member assembly 110 is preferably different from the transparency of the other panel members within the panel member assembly 110. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6-7, in one preferred embodiment, the first panel member 111 may be opaque, the second panel member 112 may be transparent, and the third panel member 113 may be semi-transparent. The use of panel members having different transparencies enables users to vary the degree of visual exposure from the inside the structure to the outdoor environment by adding or removing panel members in the manner described herein. Because each panel member has a different transparency, each panel member, in turn, permits a different amount of light to pass therethrough. Accordingly, adding or removing panel members from, the panel member assembly 110 to regulate temperature within a structure 130 enclosed or partially enclosed by the system 100 of the present disclosure.

In one preferred embodiment, at least one panel member within the panel member assembly 110 has one or more stretchable sections 115, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. The one or more stretchable sections 115 are configured to permit the panel members to stretch to an elongated configuration. The one or more stretchable sections 115 may be vertically oriented within a panel member of the panel member assembly 110, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, thereby facilitating horizontal elongation of the panel member. Alternatively, the one or more stretchable sections 115 may be horizontally oriented within a panel member of the panel member assembly 110 (not shown), thereby facilitating vertical elongation of the panel member.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, one or more panel members within the panel member assembly 110 may be designed to have a detachable portion and a non-detachable portion in some embodiments. Preferably, the first panel member 111, the second panel member 112, and the third panel member 113 each comprise a detachable portion and a non-detachable portion. The detachable portion is removably secured to the non-detachable portion. The detachable portion may be removably secured to the non-detachable portion via snap buttons, hooks, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, or any other device or instrument suitable for removably securing two objects. The non-detachable portion preferably has an opening 114 substantially the same size as the detachable portion. When the detachable portion is removed from the non-detachable portion the opening 114 may serves as entryway to or an exit from the structure 130.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, in a preferred embodiment, each panel member within the panel member assembly 110 is of a sufficient width and height to cover the unenclosed portion of a building, such as the opening to a carport or garage. Although of skill in the art will appreciate the system 100 disclosed herein may be installed in or find application with other structures 130. Such structures may include, but are not limited to, trees, fence posts, columns, or any other structure to which the panel member assembly 110 may be secured thereto via the securing member 120. As best shown in FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment each panel member within the panel member assembly 110 is generally rectangular in shape having a first side, second side, top side, and bottom side. However, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the panel members of the panel member assembly 110 may be of any suitable shape or size without departing from the inventive subject matter of the system 100 disclosed herein.

The panel members within the panel member assembly 110 may be made of a solid material, i.e., not having holes or openings therein, or may be made of a material having a plurality openings therein. To enable users to vary their exposure to outdoor environments and weather conditions, it is preferred that at least one panel member within the panel member assembly 110 be made of a solid material and at least one panel member within the panel member assembly 110 be made of a material having a plurality of openings therein. In one preferred embodiment, the first panel member 111 and second panel member 112 are made of solid material and the third panel member 113 is made of a material having a plurality of openings therein. Preferably the plurality of openings within the third panel member 113 are of sufficient size to permit air to flow therethrough while excluding allergens and/or insects including, but not limited to, mosquitos, flies, bees, etc.

Because the panel member assembly 110 may be subjected to adverse weather conditions during use, it is generally preferred that at least one panel member within the panel member assembly 110 be waterproof and/or water resistant material. To that end, it is also generally preferred that at least one panel member within the panel member assembly 110 be windproof and/or wind resistant. The panel members within the panel member assembly 110 may be made of canvas, plastic, mesh, rubber, or any other suitable material. The first panel member 111, the second panel member 112, and the third panel member 113 may be made of the same material or different materials. For instance, the first panel member 111 may be made of a canvas material, the second panel member 112 may be made of a plastic material, and the third panel member 113 may be made of a mesh material.

To enclose the unenclosed portion of a structure 130, the panel member assembly 110 is secured in a generally upright position over the unenclosed portion of the structure 130 via the securing member 120. Before securing the panel member assembly 110 to the securing member 120, it is preferred that the securing member 120 first be secured to the intended structure 130. Preferably, the securing member 120 is removably secured to the structure 130. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 9, the securing member 120 may be removably secured via one or more screws, nuts and bolts, nails, or other similar instruments or devices. As shown in FIG. 3A, in one preferred embodiment, the securing member 120 may have a shackle 150 attached thereto that is configured to wrap around an upright structure 130 and lock in place, thereby securing the securing member 120 to the structure. Alternatively, the securing member 120 may be permanently secured to a structure 130. In some instances, the use of more than one securing member 120 may be needed to secure the panel member assembly 110 over the unenclosed portion of the structure 130. Preferably, the securing member 120 is designed to removably secure the panel member assembly 110 to a structure 130 to facilitate simple installation and removal of the system 100.

In one preferred embodiment, the securing member 120 secures the panel member assembly 110 over the unenclosed portion of a structure 130 by securing a single panel member within the panel member assembly 110 to the structure 130. In such embodiments, each panel member within the panel member assembly 130 is removably secured to at least one other panel member within the panel member assembly 110. In one preferred embodiment, the first panel member 111 is removably secured to the second panel member 112, and the second panel member 112 is removably secured to the third panel member 113.

The panel members within the panel member assembly 110 may be removably secured to one another via one or more connecting members. The connecting members used to removably secure the panel members together may include, but are not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, snap buttons, zippers, magnets, or any other device or instrument configured to removably secure to objects together. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, each panel member within the panel member assembly 110 may have a first connecting member 117 and/or a second connecting member 118 attached thereto. The first connecting member 117 and second connecting member 118 are configured to interlock or otherwise secure together. As shown in FIG. 9, in one preferred embodiment, the first panel member 111 has a first connecting member 117, the second panel member 112 has a first connecting member 117 and a second connecting member 118, and the third panel member 113 has a second connecting member 118. The first connecting member 117 of the first panel member 111 and the second connecting member 118 of the second panel member 112 removably secure the first panel member 111 and the second panel member 112 together, and the first connecting member 117 of the second panel member 112 and the second connecting member 118 of the third panel member 113 removably secure the second panel member 112 and third panel member 113 together. Thus, panel members may be removed from or added to the panel member assembly 110 by unsecuring or securing the first connecting member 117 of one panel member with the second connecting member 118 of another panel member, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, each panel member within the panel member assembly 110 has a first connecting member 117 secured to one face of the panel member and a second connecting member 118 secured to second face of the panel member, wherein the first face is opposite of the second face.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one panel member within the panel member assembly 110, has a side having one or more support members 116 extending therefrom. For instance, as shown in FIG. 9, the first panel member 111 may have one or more support members extending from its top side while the second panel member 112 is removably secured to the first panel member 111 and the third panel member 113 is removably secured to the second panel member 112. To secure the panel member assembly 110 to the structure 130, the securing member 120 is configured to receive the one or more support members 116 such that the panel members of the panel member assembly 110 may hang downwardly from the securing member 120. To ensure the panel member assembly 110 covers the opening or unenclosed portion of the structure 130, the securing member is preferably secured above the unenclosed portion of the structure 130, e.g., above the opening of a garage. In a preferred embodiment, the securing member 120 is a trough that substantially spans the width of the panel member assembly 110 and is designed to permit the support members 116 to slide about therein. Alternatively, the securing member 120 may be a bar having one or more receiving members 121 positioned thereon that are configured to receive the one or more support members 116 therein, as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, in some embodiments, the panel member assembly 110 may transition from an enclosed configuration to an unenclosed configuration, or vice versa, by sliding the one or more support members 116 within the securing member 120.

In some embodiments, the securing member 120 may comprise a first fastener 120A and a second fastener 120B, wherein the first fastener 120A and second fastener 120B are configured interlock or otherwise secure or attach to one another. In a preferred embodiment, both the first fastener 120A and the second fastener 120B are attached to the panel member assembly 110. Alternatively, the first fastener 120A may be secured to a structure 130 while the second fastener 120B is secured to the panel member assembly 110, as shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, each panel member within the panel member assembly 110 may have a first fastener 120A and/or second fastener 120B attached thereto. The first fastener 120A may be the male component and the second fastener 120B may be the female component of a device or instrument configured to removably secure two objects together, or vice versa. Thus in some embodiments, panel members may be added or removed from the panel member assembly 110 by engaging or disengaging fastening members.

In other embodiments, the securing member 120 removably secures the panel member assembly 110 to a structure 130 by securing each panel member within the panel member assembly 110 to the structure. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the securing member 120 may be a bracket configured to receive and/or interlock with one or more sides of each panel member within the panel member assembly 110. In such embodiments, at least one side of each panel member within the panel member assembly 110 is preferably crimped. As shown in FIG. 2, one side of the first panel member 111, the second panel member 112, and the third panel member 113 are crimped to retain a hook-like shape such that when placed within the securing member 120 shown in FIG. 3A or 3B, the crimped side of each panel member and the securing member 120 interlock. Thus, to remove a panel member from the panel member assembly 110, users remove the crimped side of the desired panel member from the securing member 120. Alternatively each panel member within the panel member assembly 110 may have a side having one or more hooks 160 attached thereto, as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the one or more hooks 160 are configured to interlock with the securing member shown in FIGS. 3A-3B.

In another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the securing member 120 may be a screw with optional washer combination that passes through the panel member assembly 110 to secure the panel member assembly 110 to a structure 130. As further shown in FIG. 8, in such embodiments, the securing member 120 may be secured to the structure 130 using a conventional hand or power tool 140. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the depiction of a screw in FIG. 8 is for illustrative purposes only and that nails, bolts, staples, or any other similar device or instrument may be used.

It is understood that versions of the inventive subject matter of the present disclosure may come in different forms and embodiments. Additionally, it is understood that one of skill in the art would appreciate these various forms and embodiments as falling within the scope of the inventive subject matter disclosed here. 

What is claimed is: 1) A panel enclosure system comprising: a panel member assembly comprising: a first panel member, and a second panel member, wherein the transparency of the second panel member is greater than the transparency of the first panel member; and a securing member configured to removably secure the panel assembly to a structure. 2) The system of claim 1, wherein the first panel member and the second panel member are removably secured together. 3) The system of claim 2, wherein the first panel member has a first connecting member and the second panel member has a second connecting member, wherein the first connecting member of the first panel member and the second connecting member of the second panel member removably secure the first panel member and the second panel member together. 4) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one panel member of the panel member assembly has a section configured to stretch. 5) The system of claim 1, wherein the first panel member and the second panel member each have at least one side that is crimped to retain a hook-like shape, and wherein the securing member is configured to interlock with the at least one crimped side of the first panel member and the at least one crimped side of the second panel member. 6) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one panel member within the panel member assembly has a side having one or more support members extending therefrom, and wherein the securing member is configured to receive the one or more support members therein. 7) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one panel member within the panel member assembly comprises a detachable portion and a non-detachable portion, wherein the detachable portion and non-detachable portion are removably secured. 8) The system of claim 1, wherein the securing member comprises a first fastener and a second fastener, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are configured to attach. 9) The system of claim 8, wherein both the first fastener and the second fastener are attached to the panel member assembly. 10) The system of claim 1, wherein the panel member assembly further comprises a third panel member. 11) The system of claim 10, wherein third panel member has a plurality of openings therein. 12) The system of claim 10, wherein the first panel member is opaque, the second panel member is transparent, and the third panel member is semi-transparent. 13) A panel enclosure system comprising: a panel member assembly comprising: a first panel member, a second panel member, and a third panel member, wherein the transparency of each panel member within the panel member assembly is different from the transparency of the other panel members within the panel member assembly; and a securing member configured to removably secure the panel member assembly to a structure. 14) The system of claim 13, wherein each panel member within the panel member assembly is removably secured to at least one other panel member within the panel member assembly. 15) The system of claim 14, wherein the first panel member has a first connecting member, the second panel member has a first connecting member and a second connecting member, and the third panel member has a second connecting member, wherein the first connecting member of the first panel member and the second connecting member of the second panel removably secure the first panel member and second panel member together, and wherein the first connecting member of the second panel member, and the second connecting member of the third panel member removably secure the second panel member and the third panel member together. 16) The system of claim 13, wherein at least one panel member within the panel member assembly comprises a detachable portion and a non-detachable portion, wherein the detachable portion and non-detachable portion are removably secured. 17) The system of claim 13, wherein at least one panel member within the panel member assembly has a side having one or more support members extending therefrom, and wherein the securing member is configured to receive the one or more support members therein. 18) The system of claim 13, wherein the first panel member is opaque, the second panel member is transparent, and the third panel member is semi-transparent. 19) The system of claim 18, wherein the third panel member has a plurality of openings therein. 20) A panel enclosure system comprising: a panel member assembly comprising: a first panel member, wherein the first panel member is opaque and has at least one side having one or more support members extending therefrom, a second panel member removably secured to the first panel member, wherein the second panel member is transparent, and a third panel member removably secured to the second panel member, wherein the third panel member is semi-transparent and has a plurality of openings therein; and a securing member configured to secure to a structure, wherein the securing member is further configured to receive the one or more support members of the first panel member therein. 